Samsung and the IOC Deny Sochi Opening Ceremony Apple Logo Ban

Lucky Olympic athletes taking part in the Sochi Winter Olympics found a Samsung Galaxy Note III in their arrival goodie bags, so even if they don't take home a medal they've still got something of a fairly high value to sell on the internet when they get home. But did Samsung demand they avoid being seen using Apple hardware as part of the deal?

That is indeed what happened according to a group of Swiss athletes, who claim their free Galaxy Note IIIs were accompanied by a sweet request from Samsung asking them to physically tape over the Apple logos on rival phones they may use instead to take their endless selfies during the opening ceremony.

But they were lying or confused, apparently, as the IOC has since said: "No it is not true. Athletes can use any device they wish during the Opening Ceremony. The normal rules apply just as per previous Games." Samsung, meanwhile, insisted that it "did not request any action of this nature from athletes attending the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics."

So it sounds like it may have happened, then was quickly pulled when word of it got out. Perhaps a rogue goodie bag stuffer got a bit too keen on spreading the corporate love? [Guardian via CultofMac]